"They're turning out," he said. "Yes; and there is no sign of hurry;"
and he kept on telling me as, by the help of the glass, the confusion I
could see was cleared; and the leading out of horses, and falling in of
men, was described, "They're going through it all exactly as if they
were our troop," said Brace, bitterly. "We've let them see our
training, and trained them, too, to some purpose. Hasn't another
quarter of an hour gone yet?"
"No," I said; "not more than ten minutes."
"It seems like ten hours. Hah! Trumpeter, keep those horses quiet, on
your life."
There was a neighing and stamping and trampling mingled with the
breaking of bushes, and then all was quiet again; while I felt an
intense longing to mount my Arab, and gallop as hard as that beautiful
creature could go.
"You can see them plainly now?" said Brace.
"Oh yes; quite plainly," I replied, as I saw the limbers brought out,
each by its six horses, and the men drawn up ready, some on foot, the
rest mounted, and holding the horses of the dismounted gunners, two of
whom, however, would in each case mount to their seats on the limber.
"Where is the rajah?" said Brace, impatiently. "I can't see him. Can
you?"
"No."
"Then those scoundrels of sepoys must have reached the place, and,
instead of their coming out to drill to-day, they will retreat once
more."
Just then came the squealing and trampling of the horses again, and I
had to run back and help poor Dobbs, whose face was scarlet.
"I can hardly hold them, sir. The flies are beginning to worry them,
too."
"Only a little longer, Dobbs," I said. "Pray--pray try and keep them
quiet."
I tried hard to soothe my restive charger, which whinnied after me
impatiently as I went away again, just as if the poor brute felt
disappointed because I had not mounted and ridden him off.
But they were pretty quiet when I left them, and I rejoined Brace, who
was trembling with excitement.
"It must be nearly an hour now," he said to me appealingly.
"Yes, it must be," I replied.
"And Haynes ought to be ready. It will take a few minutes, too, which
will all be in their favour. But the scoundrels don't come out; and,
though I can see the rajah's Arab, I can't see him. Take the glass and
try yourself."
I caught the glass from his hand, and swept the ground, to see that the
six guns were all out in front, the long line of horses ready with their
riders, and the drivers already seated, waiting for the limbering up,
each team of glossy creatures breaking up the regularity of the line.
"No," I said, returning the glass. "I can't see him."
"But you could make out his horse?"
"Yes, plainly."
"Gil," said Brace, after a pause, "our hour must be up; and we could act
at once if they came out. But there is something wrong."
"I hope not."
"And I; but I'm afraid. Is your pistol charged?"
"No," I said.
"Then load, man, load. Heaven knows I don't want to destroy life; but
we are fighting for our queen and country, and for the thousands of
women and children who may soon be at the mercy of these men."
I hastily dragged my cartouche-box round, and charged my pistol, and
when this was done, looked at Brace, as if asking for further commands.
"Is your sword sharp?"
"Yes, very," I replied.
"Good. Recollect, lad, that you may have to use it; and then you must
strike or give point--do so with vigour. Your life or mine may depend
upon it."
"I'll try, and do my best," I said huskily.
"I know you will, Gil; and may God help us!"
There was another long period of watching before he spoke again.
"It is of no use, lad," he said. "My fault; and I have upset as
splendid a plan as was ever conceived, by letting those prisoners
escape. They must have reached the place, and are giving the rajah the
information of danger to him and his being so near. It's all over; they
will not drill to-day."
"But we can follow them up, and get another chance," I said soothingly.
"No, lad," he replied, "never again. Knowing that he is pursued, he
will be too watchful. Our chance is gone."
"Look there," I said, steadying my eyes with my hand; "isn't that the
rajah mounting? I can't see, but I saw something flashing in the sun."
"Yes," cried Brace, in a trembling voice. "It is--it is; and he is
riding out to the front. Look, there is the order. The men have
limbered up, and mounted. There, again. Hurrah! they are in motion.
Do you see? they are coming out into the plain. Gil, lad, your hand.
He cannot have got the warning, or they would follow the road. Now, may
Heaven help our good cause, bring us safely through to-day's peril, and
help us to acquit ourselves like British soldiers and like men."